SUNDAY, JUNE 07, 2020
TOPIC: TRAIN UP YOUR CHILD
TEXT: 1 Samuel 3:11-21
KEY VERSE:
“For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” - (1 Samuel 3:13)
There is an adage that says, “the child that we refuse to build up (train) will end up selling off (squander) the house that we built.” This underscores the significance of training children to prepare them to be responsible adults in future.
This was what Eli failed to do. His children abhorred the offering of the Lord. They forced those who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifice unto God to give them the meat that was meant for the sacrifice and took as much as they wanted. God counted their action as a desecration of His sacrifice. They did all this in the name of their father, the priest. And, since Eli failed to take concrete actions to stop them, God held him accountable for his children’s sins.
The world is full of wayward children today. Youths are active participants in vices like drug addiction, cultism, kidnapping, rape, fraud, armed robbery, etc. Sadly, many parents fail to check their children against these vices. For a just, peaceful, equitable and prosperous society, parents have a great role to play. They must train up their children in the way of the Lord so that “when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Men of God in particular must take all necessary steps to train their children in the way of the Lord so that the name of the Lord will not be reproached through their families. According to Scriptures, the man of God must be one that “ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity” (1 Timothy 3:4). Who is your child? A son of Belial, or a son of God?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
A word is enough for the wise.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 8-10
HIGHER EVERYDAY
SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2020
SURE INCREASE IN STRENGTH
BIBLE TEXT: ISAIAH 40:28-31
MEMORY VERSE: "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength" (ISAIAH 40:29).
In our text, power and strength are showcased as qualities God provides to improve the conditions of His children. There is however, a similarity between power and strength. Power is explained as the ability, strength and capacity to do something. So, when God gives you power, strength is attached to it, and vice versa. You can approach God for mental, physical, spiritual and emotional strength. King David said, "They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God" (Psalm 84:7). You can appear before God also to praise and request Him for needed strength. The youthful David received strength to do exploits for the Lord, including the killing of Goliath.
Are you a child of God? Have you been made clean by the blood of Jesus? Appearing regularly before the Lord guarantees sure capacity to function excellently in all we do. With God's strength, you can shine in education, career or Christian ministry; just trust God. Men like Smith Wigglesworth and John Wesley were achievers because they received increased strength as they walked with God.
QUOTE: With God's strength you can shine.
CHALLENGE: Go to God for increase in strength.
PRAYER: Oh God, give me strength to serve You better.